Growing plants from cuttings is one of those magical garden moments that makes you feel like a proper plant parent. It’s budget-friendly, beginner-friendly, and honestly a little addictive once you start seeing roots pop from a tiny stem you snipped yourself. Whether you’re expanding your indoor jungle or filling out your garden beds, propagation is such a satisfying way to multiply the plants you already love.
In this guide, I’m sharing 18 easy plants you can grow from cuttings, plus real-life tips that actually work—not the over-complicated stuff you see online. I’ve done all these myself, either in water jars on my window sill or directly in soil on my terrace garden. And if you’re already diving into DIY gardening, you might also enjoy my post on Moisture Absorbing Plants for Humid Spaces, which goes wonderfully with water-rooting plants.
Alright, let’s start snipping!
1. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) – The Easiest Cutting Plant Ever
Pothos is the plant that turns everyone into a confident propagator. You simply cut below a node, pop it in water, and watch it flourish. I’ve had pothos cuttings root in as little as 7–10 days, especially during warm months. They’re great if you want quick wins or want to create a lush trailing display without buying new plants.
One mistake beginners often make is removing too many leaves. Leave at least 1–2 leaves above the water line and remove any that would sit in the water (they’ll rot). I usually change the water every 4–5 days to keep it fresh.
Once the roots reach 2–3 inches, you can pot them up. Or keep them in water forever—pothos are strangely fine with that, making them great for bathroom shelves or your kitchen window.
2. Snake Plant (Sansevieria) – Grow a Whole New Plant From One Leaf
Snake plants don’t grow super fast from leaf cuttings, but they absolutely will root if you’re patient. Cut a healthy leaf into 3–4 inch sections, then let the pieces callus for a day or two. This prevents rot and helps the leaf harden before going into soil.
I prefer rooting snake plant cuttings directly in well-draining soil rather than water because the roots tend to be stronger. Keep the soil slightly moist but never soggy. Rooting can take anywhere from 4–8 weeks, and you’ll see tiny pups popping out eventually.
These plants are nearly indestructible and great for beginners. If your home has low light areas, snake plants are ideal fillers.
3. Coleus – Explosion of Color From a Simple Snip
Coleus is one of the most rewarding outdoor plants to propagate. The vibrant foliage creates an instant pop of color in garden beds and balcony planters. A 4–6 inch cutting placed in water roots so quickly it almost feels like cheating.
One thing I’ve learned is that coleus roots faster in warm weather. In cool seasons, move your jar indoors near a sunny window. Once the roots get thick and white, transplant them gently into soil. Pinch the top growth for a fuller, bushier plant.
Coleus is perfect if you want low-effort color in your yard. I often pair my propagations with ideas from my Outdoor BBQ Kitchen Ideas post, especially when designing colorful garden corners around seating areas.
4. Mint – The Herb That Repopulates Itself
Mint might honestly be the easiest herb on this list. Snip a healthy stem, remove the lower leaves, and place it in water. You’ll probably see roots in less than a week. Mint is so vigorous that one cutting can turn into an entire patch if grown in soil outdoors.
But one warning: mint spreads aggressively. Always grow it in containers unless you want your garden overtaken. I keep a large pot just for mint on my terrace, and it keeps my kitchen supplied year-round.
Fresh mint also looks gorgeous when paired with other moisture-loving plants. If you’re into this vibe, check out my blog on Moisture Absorbing Plants for Humid Rooms — mint pairs beautifully in those setups.
5. Rosemary – Tough but Totally Rootable
Rosemary cuttings need a little more attention than mint, but they’re definitely rootable. Choose semi-woody stems (not too soft, not too hard), remove the lower leaves, and plant them in sandy soil. I’ve had the best success when I cover the pot with a plastic dome to hold humidity.
The key is patience. Rosemary roots slowly and silently, but once it grabs, you’ll have a strong, long-lived herb plant. I love keeping rosemary pots near outdoor seating—its fragrance intensifies in the sun and adds such a Mediterranean feel.
Rosemary propagated from cuttings tends to grow more consistently than nursery-bought plants. It’s like it adapts to your home environment from day one.
6. Basil – A Kitchen Favorite That Roots Overnight
Basil is one of my most-propagated herbs because I cook with it constantly. You just cut a 4–5 inch stem, remove the bottom leaves, and place it in water. Rooting happens fast—sometimes in as little as 3–4 days.
If your basil plant tends to flower quickly, taking cuttings helps maintain healthy growth. Once transferred to soil, basil cuttings usually grow bushier than seed-started plants. Just make sure the plant gets plenty of sunlight.
Keep basil jars in your kitchen window for a pretty and functional display. They also root beautifully alongside mint or oregano.
7. Rose – A Classic Plant You Can Root at Home
Many gardeners don’t realize roses can be propagated from cuttings. Choose a healthy stem after a bloom has died back. Remove leaves from the lower half of the stem and insert it into moist soil. Cover with a jar or plastic bottle to keep humidity high.
I’ve rooted several roses this way, though I’ll be honest—success rates vary. But when it works, watching a new rose bush grow from your favorite bloom feels incredibly rewarding. These rooted cuttings make excellent gifts too.
If you enjoy outdoor flowering plant ideas, you’d also love my post on Cottage Garden Ideas, which pairs beautifully with rose propagation projects.
8. Geranium – Colorful, Low-Stress, and Easy
Geraniums root surprisingly well in plain water or soil. Snip below a node, remove the lower leaves, and keep the cutting somewhere bright. The stems are firm enough that they rarely rot if you avoid overwatering.
I often propagate geraniums in late summer to prepare new plants for spring garden beds. Once planted outdoors, they add a cheerful punch of color and pair beautifully with rustic decor ideas like in my Outdoor BBQ Kitchen Ideas post.
Growing a whole row from cuttings feels like leveling up as a gardener—plus, it saves money when you want mass plantings.
9. Lavender – Fragrant Cuttings That Thrive
Lavender thrives from semi-woody cuttings. Choose stems that haven’t fully hardened, snip below a node, remove the leaves at the bottom, and plant in gritty soil. They root surprisingly well when kept warm and bright.
I love starting lavender cuttings to fill walkway borders. The scent they release when brushed is heavenly. Once established, lavender requires minimal watering and is perfect for hot climates.
Rooting lavender is a long-term investment but absolutely worth it.
10. Begonia – Leaf or Stem, Both Work
Begonias are fascinating because you can propagate them from both leaf and stem cuttings. For leaf methods, slice the veins and lay the leaf flat on moist soil. For stems, simply place a section in water or soil.
I’ve had great success with cane begonias in particular—they root reliably in water jars on my window shelf. Keep humidity moderate but avoid waterlogging. Begonia roots are delicate and need gentle handling.
Once potted, they thrive in bright, indirect light and make stunning indoor focal points.
11. Hydrangea – Big Blooms From Simple Cuttings
Hydrangeas root best from softwood cuttings taken in early summer. These young, flexible stems grow roots quickly if placed in moist soil. Covering with a plastic dome ensures consistent humidity.
I love gifting hydrangea cuttings because they feel premium yet are completely homegrown. They’re also perfect for forming natural borders or filling large pots. Once rooted, hydrangeas grow fast and produce giant, showy blooms.
If you’re planning landscape updates, hydrangeas pair beautifully with ideas from my post on Best Perennial Plants for Borders.
12. Dracaena – Bold Indoor Plant With Easy Propagation
Dracaenas are tall, architectural plants, but what many people don’t know is that they root incredibly well from cane cuttings. Simply cut a section of the cane, lay it horizontally on moist soil, or place it upright in water.
New leaves sprout from the nodes after a few weeks. I love using this method when my dracaena gets too tall or leggy. Propagation lets you rejuvenate the main plant and create new ones at the same time.
These make great indoor corner fillers since they thrive in low-light conditions.
13. ZZ Plant – Surprisingly Rootable
ZZ plants are famously tough, but propagation is slow. Don’t expect fast results, but if you’re patient, you’ll eventually see small bulbous rhizomes forming. You can root whole stems in water or leaflets in soil.
ZZ cuttings are great for people who love low-maintenance indoor plants. Keep the cuttings in bright shade and forget about them for a while. Eventually, you’ll get new growth—even if it takes months.
Worth it for the glossy, sculptural foliage you get later!
14. Jade Plant (Crassula) – Succulent That Loves Cuttings
Jade plants root best when the cut ends are allowed to callus for a day. Once planted in gritty soil, keep watering minimal until new growth appears. These plants store moisture in their leaves, so overwatering is the biggest risk.
Jade cuttings often become chubbier and stronger than the parent plant. They’re perfect if you love sculptural, bonsai-style arrangements.
A small jade forest on your windowsill looks surprisingly premium.
15. Oregano – A Kitchen Staple That Roots Quickly
Oregano is very similar to mint when it comes to propagation. Snip a healthy stem, remove lower leaves, and root in either water or soil. Rooting typically takes under a week in warm weather.
What I love about oregano is how fragrant it becomes after transplanting. One or two rooted cuttings are enough to supply your kitchen all season long. This herb loves full sun and rewards you with compact, flavorful growth.
Keep trimming the plant—regular pruning encourages fresh leaves.
16. Sweet Potato Vine – Fast, Vibrant, and Fun
Sweet potato vine is a fantastic plant for hanging baskets, borders, or trellises. Cut a 6–8 inch stem, pop it in water, and you’ll have a full root system in days.
Their bright chartreuse or deep-purple foliage brings instant drama to outdoor spaces. I love using propagated vines to fill empty garden spots quickly.
Great for beginners, and kids love watching the roots grow so fast.
17. Philodendron – Trailing Beauty Made for Beginners
Philodendron varieties such as Brazil, Heartleaf, and Lemon Lime are incredibly easy to propagate. Cut below a node, place it in water, and wait 1–2 weeks for roots to appear. You can keep them in water or move them to soil later.
These plants mix wonderfully with cottage-style interiors or minimalist decor. I often use philodendron cuttings to refresh older plants that have grown leggy. Propagated plants look fresh and youthful.
Their trailing vines make any shelf or hanging planter look instantly styled.
18. Christmas Cactus – A Unique Prop That Loves Humidity
This plant isn’t actually a cactus—it’s a succulent that loves humidity. You can propagate it by twisting off a few segments and letting the ends callus for 24 hours. Plant them in a cactus mix and keep the soil lightly moist.
Christmas cactus cuttings root better when kept in bright but indirect light. I love gifting propagated pots during the holidays—they feel personal and festive.
You’ll get gorgeous blooms once the plant matures.
🌿 Final Thoughts
Propagating plants from cuttings is one of the most rewarding parts of gardening. It’s budget-friendly, beginner-friendly, and a great way to expand both indoor and outdoor spaces. Whether you want more herbs, trailing vines, or flowering plants, these cuttings offer endless possibilities.